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Monday, March 17, 2014

Koh Nang Yuan Island

Koh Nang Yuan is an island by Koh Tao
that will simply take your breath away. There are paradise islands, and then
there is Nang Yuan the little island is actually made up of three pieces of
land and which are connected by a huge sandbar. It’s a place where postcard pictures
are taken, and where people dream about when life is tough.

Koh Nang Yuan is owned by a local
business and visitors can expect to be charged a 100 Baht entrance to get on
the island. The small fee goes a long way in keeping the island in pristine
condition, in fact guests are asked not to bring plastic onto the island instead all drinking water is served in reusable
glass. It is such a refreshing change to see people really care about the
environment, in such a positive way.

Koh Nang Yuan is about a 10
minute journey from the west side of Koh Tao. There are speed boat tours available
as well as the large ferry company offering a package day trip but you will be
surrounded by literally hundreds of others, it may be cheap and cheerful if
that is what you like.

The island host a small resort, which
has excellent accommodations and the staff are just so friendly and helpful,
you will not want to leave this idyllic tiny little piece of paradise. There
really is not much to do on Nang Yuan other than explore the island itself
sunbath or go scuba diving, there is a small dive centre located right on the
island.

There is just one restaurant on
the island and only one small beach bar. Remember that is is on a small island
and most things purchased here will be a little more pricey than the main
island. Then again you get what you pay for and the prices tend to keep any
strays island beer bar flies away. The menu is not so extensive but the food is
of high quality. The beach bar is, unsurprisingly, located on the beach and is
on the expensive side too.

Depending on which time of the
month you decide to go will dictate how much or how little of a beach you will
have to lie on the beach can be a tiny lace of sand racked with sun loving
bodies, or a wide, uninhabited stretch of paradise. Amazingly, it remains
beautiful either way.

Words are hard to find when
trying to describe the snorkeling on Koh Nang Yuan as simply put, it is one of
the best snorkeling spots in Thailand.

The shallow reefs surrounding the island
are lined with intricate soft and hard corals as well as schools of beautiful
coloured Wrasses, fascinating colorful Parrotfish, the Damselfish will try to
nibble your toes it’s like a dream.

Shelter from the islands means
the water is calm and clear.

There is also great diving here too and dive boats
visit the area regularly the dive sites here are called Twin Peak and Japanese
Gardens and lie just off the island and are shallow enough for snorkelers to
enjoy too. Snorkeling gear can be rented in the Koh Nang Yuan Resort’s Dive
Shop, if you want to try diving or are experienced then this is a great spot..

The island does have a couple of
drawbacks like certain times of the year there does tend to be a lot mosquitos
and there is obviously a limited supply of water but all this just adds the
unique island way of life, if you like island in paradise setting then be
prepared to fall in love with Koh NangYuan.

There is free transfer from the
main pier on Koh Tao, usually by longtail boat, which will bring you directly
here.

Koh Nang Yuan View Point

Another great thing to do on the
island is take a small trek to the top of the view point where you can get some
great panoramic photos to show your friends at home just what you have doing.
Be warned though the path is quite steep and it does get hot especially under
the midday sun, don’t forget your camera and a bottle of water.

Oh course I nearly did not
mention that Koh Nang Yuan’s newest attraction is ziplining, oh yes you got it
Ziplining. You will be giving a short brief before you take the plunge over the
edge. The course consists of two lines that go between the island it is the
world’s first island to island zipline, incredible.